Description
Mt John Summit Circuit Track
Dog access: No dogs.
Track category: Tramping track
Time: 1 hr 30 min
The start of this track is located next to the Tekapo Springs complex. The track rises steadily up through exotic forest and then open tussock hill slopes. Mt John is fantastic viewing platform with a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding mountains, lakes and Mackenzie Basin flats. The Mt John Observatory and cafe are at the top.
Another popular option is to drive to the top of Mt John, park near the cafe and walk the Summit Circuit Track (30 - 45 min).
Mt John via lakeshore
Dog access: No dogs.
Track category: Tramping track
Time: 3 hr
Walk past the Tekapo Springs complex and follow the track on the western side of Lake Tekapo. The track climbs up to Mt John Summit Track. Descend through the exotic forest back to where you started.
Cowans Hill Walkway
Dog access: Dogs on a leash only.
Track category: Tramping track
Distance: 3.2 km
Walk from Tekapo township to the start of the track near the Tekapo Road Bridge, otherwise park your vehicle in the car park off SH8 near Hamilton Drive. The track passes through exotic forest, open tussock country and past small tarns where wetland birds may stop to feed.
Mountain biking
Track category: Easy/Grade 2
Time: 1 hr
Distance: 3.2 km
You can park in the public car park on Hamilton Drive and ride uphill from there to the track start on Cowans Hill. The actual formed track is 3.2 km but to start and finish from Hamilton Drive is a 5 km circuit.
This is a shared-use track. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.
Getting there
These tracks can we walked from the town centre or you can drive the start of each track.